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Introducing property. CommBank’s MyWealth brings a world first to do-it-yourself investors

Introducing property. CommBank’s MyWealth brings a world first to do-it-yourself investors

16 May, 2013 – In response to the needs of the increasing number of Australians looking to build wealth, Commonwealth Bank launched the MyWealth platform in February 2013, to make it easier for everyday Australians to build an investment portfolio.

Today, with the introduction of residential property investment MyWealth is a global first; all asset classes in one portfolio under the one log-in for the DIY investor. MyWealth aims to change the way both new and experienced investors build and manage their wealth across property, shares, cash and fixed interest in one online destination.

For over three million self-directed investors in Australia, MyWealth has been designed to make it easy for customers to research and invest in a range of financial products. Developed following nine months of customer centred design research, MyWealth helps customers easily navigate and make sense of the investment world.

When it comes to wealth creation for Australians’ property remains the number one asset, accounting for $4.4 trillion of our wealth. This compares with superannuation ($1.5 trillion), Australian listed stocks ($1.3 trillion) and commercial real estate ($0.7 trillion).

Data from Commonwealth Bank, Australia’s largest home lender, has shown a continued appetite for buying investment property, with CommBank seeing in April 2013 a 6.6 per cent year-on-year increase in the number of customers taking out home loans to secure investment properties.

“Property is the backbone of Australian’s wealth. Most Australians don’t believe they are on a wealth journey until they have purchased property. Property is often the starting point as it is easier to understand and it is believed to be more predictable than market based assets,” said Lisa Frazier, Chief Innovation Officer, Equities and Margin Lending, Commonwealth Bank.

“The new investment property section of MyWealth is unique in Australia and has been designed to empower those who want to be in control of their financial future. Our aim is to demystify property investing for new investors with simple, easy to understand information and help seasoned investors access new opportunities. Based on customer appreciation for the simplicity of MyWealth we have replicated a simplified equities investment experience to property investment. MyWealth now makes it easier for Australians to gain the confidence to build their entire investment portfolio in one place.”

The MyWealth platform provides Australians with a simple, informed process for creating and managing their own financial future. Featuring an easy-to-use investment platform, property valuations and search functionality, stock market watchlists, hosted social communities, alongside financial news and educational features from a dedicated team of in-house journalists – the MyWealth platform is designed to be the best platform in Australia for self-directed investors to control and view their wealth creation.

Through MyWealth, Australians are now able to build wealth through property:

Search and research suburbs enabling them to identify and buy property in the most appropriate suburbs across Australia;

Access detailed suburb information including the ability to compare suburb performance to the nearest capital city and local property market sales by suburb;

Watch and follow properties with alerts on recent sales;

Access free market values for owned properties from RP Data;

Access to market news and insights from MyWealth’s dedicated team of journalists;

Join the MyWealth online community to join in the conversation with like minded investors; and

View and manage their property investments alongside other asset classes including Australian shares, cash and fixed interest.

“By creating a platform that enables self-directed investors to grow their wealth while delivering a great customer experience, we aim to support self-directed investors in their efforts to establish their financial future,” said Stephen Karpin, Executive General Manager Equities Margin Lending, Commonwealth Bank. “We have integrated the key elements of investing from across CommBank and CommSec as well as other media elements such as news and community, in one, always-online destination for investors.”

MyWealth will continue to enhance the platform throughout 2013 with new features such as portfolio insight tools.